Air compressor



OCL I w. J. HAWKINS AIR COMPRESSOR Filed Anril 6, 1922 Patented Got. 28. 1924.

AIR COMPRESSOR.

Application filed. April 6.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILFORD J. HAW- KINS, a citizenof the United States, residing at New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Air Compressors, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to an improvement in an air compressor'for automobiles, motor boats, or stationary power plants, for the purpose of compressing air to be used for inflating tires, blowing whistles, cleaning, or any other purpose for which it is adapted; and the main object of the invention is the production of a more efiicient and durable device of this general type. With this and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain constructions and combinations which will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

The drawing is a sectional view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing, there is provided an air compressor cylinder 1, having a central partition 2 and two heads 3, one secured to each end of said cylinder. There are further provided two pistons working in said cylinder, one on either side of the central partition 2, the piston 4 being con-, nected with the piston 5 by means of a piston rod 6 working through the partition 2. The rod is packed at the partition by means of two leather cups 7 of well known construction and operation. The cylinder 1 is further provided with air intakes 8 drilled through its wall distant from the central partition 2. The cylinder is further pro vided with valve controlled air outlets 9 in the cylinder wall adjacent said partition and of well known construction and operation.

For the purpose of operating the pistons 4 and 5 within the cylinder 1, there is provided alternating means for simultaneously establishing pressure in one end of the cylinder and suction in the other end, whereby the combined forces of pressure and suction operate to drive the two pistons first in one direction to compress air in one part of the cylinder, and then in the opposite direction to compress air in the other part of the cylinder. As shown, this means includes a. four-stroke cycle internal combustion engine 1922. Serial No. 549,963.

in which two cylinders 10 11 operate at cycle intervals. Each of these engine cylinders is of course provided with the usual piston 12. The means referred to also includes conduits 13, connecting the engine cylinders 10-11 with the air compressor cylinder 1 through the heads 33.

There is further provided means for throwing the. air compressor cylinder in and out of action while the engine is in operation and, as shown, this means consists in cutoff valves 14 of well known construction and located in the conduits 13.

By an inspection of the drawing, it will be observed that the engine pistons 1212 are both at top stroke, and that the air compressor cylinder to the left of the partition 2 is in open communication with the atmosphere and is therefore full of air. The p-iston in the engine cylinder 10 is about to begin its power stroke, while the piston in the engine cylinder 11 is about to begin its suction stroke, and the valves 14 are open. As the charge of gas compressed in the cylinder 10 and its conduit 13 is fired, the pressure rises within the air compressor cylinder 1 as well as within the engine cylinder 10 and drives the piston 5 to the right-compressing air imprisoned in the air compressor cylinder between the air intakes 8 and outlet 9 to the left of the partition 2. As the piston in the engine cylinder 11 moves down in unison with that in the engine cylinder 10, suction is established in the right end of the air compressor cylinder 1; and the partial vacuum thus produced augments the force exerted upon the piston 5. At the top of the next stroke of the engine pistons, the conditions willof course be reversed so that pressure will be established in the right end of the air compressor cylinder, and suction in its left end, resulting in driving the piston back to the positions shown in the drawing and compressing air in the right half of the cylinder.

Changes and variations may be made in the device by means of. which the invention, as defined in the claims, is carried into effect. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with an air compressor cylinder having a central partition and two heads, of two pistons working in said c linder on on either side of said partition, a rod working through said partition and connecting said pistons, air intakes in the cylinder Wall distant from said parti 'tion, valve controlled air outlets in the cylinder Wall adjacent said partition, and alternating means for establishing pressure in one end of the cylinder and suction in the other end.

2. The combination with an air compressor cylinder having a central partition and two heads, off two pistons working in said cylinder one on either side of said partition,

a rod working through said partition and connecting said pistons, air intakes in the cylinder Wall distant from said partition, valve controlled air outlets in the cylinder Wall adjacent said partition, and alternating means for establishing pressure in one end of the cylinder and suction in the other and including pipes secured to aid heads on the axis of said cylinder.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

WILFORD J. HAWKINS, 

